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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dedicated team to improve outcomes for looked after children.
- Company: Family Care, a family-owned independent fostering agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with management experience and a passion for fostering.
- Other info: Join a values-led agency with strong Ofsted history and opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced and inspirational leader in fostering services, a qualified Social Worker with current registration, driven by a passion to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people?
About Us
Family Care is a family-owned independent fostering agency with over 30 years' experience supporting children, young people, and foster carers across the Midlands and North West. Our therapeutic, child-centred approach places relationships, stability, and positive outcomes at the heart of everything we do.
About The Role
As Registered Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our fostering service, overseeing a committed team including a Practice Manager, Social Workers, Support Workers, and Administrative Staff. You will set a clear vision, lead with integrity, and ensure the service consistently meets Ofsted requirements, Fostering Regulations 2011, National Minimum Standards and our own high standards of care. You will be accountable for the development and delivery of all fostering services within the registered agency, ensuring full compliance with statutory guidance, national minimum standards, and our Statement of Purpose. Safeguarding and the wellbeing of children and young people will remain central to all decision-making. Acting as an ambassador for Family Care, you will promote our child-focused, outcomes-driven ethos and work closely with the owners to support children, young people, and care leavers, including collaboration with our charity partner, The Williamson Children's Trust. This role covers our fostering services across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire, with hybrid working between home and our regional offices.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall operational leadership of the fostering service as Registered Manager, ensuring full compliance with legislation, regulation, and Family Care Group policies.
- Lead, manage, and develop staff through supervision, workload allocation, performance management, appraisals, disciplinary processes, and training plans.
- Monitor and ensure the ongoing suitability, competence, and development of foster carers, promoting safe, nurturing, and aspirational care environments.
- Ensure services are developed and delivered in line with government agendas, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
- Oversee the recruitment, assessment, training, and supervision of foster carers and employees.
- Act as Panel Advisor for the Fostering Panel.
- Ensure a robust and effective 24-hour professional support service for foster carers.
- Contribute to strategic planning, service development, and business growth.
- Oversee financial reporting and budget management.
- Build a highly motivated, innovative, and collaborative team culture where change is positive, well-communicated, and child-focused.
What We're Looking For
Essential Requirements:
- DipSW, CQSW, Degree in Social Work, or equivalent Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent).
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Minimum of 2 years' relevant experience within Independent Fostering in the last 5 years.
- At least 1 year's experience supervising and managing professional staff.
- Proficient experience in undertaking Form F Assessments.
- Working knowledge of CHARMS.
- Willingness to participate in an out-of-hours rota.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between Staffordshire and Lancashire offices.
Why Join Family Care?
- Small, values-led Independent Fostering Agency.
- Therapeutic, relationship-based approach.
- Strong Ofsted history and reputation.
- Direct access to decision-makers.
- Opportunity to shape and grow services.
What We Offer
- Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 per annum, + car allowance + bonus.
- Full-time; permanent.
- Hybrid working model (Staffordshire / Lancashire office base).
- 30 days annual leave + statutory holidays.
- Contributory pension scheme and long-service awards.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- A supportive, family-owned organisation where your leadership and impact are genuinely valued.
Safeguarding
Family Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent employment.
Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work Mgr employer: Family Care Group
Contact Detail:
Family Care Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work Mgr
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and social work sectors. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Family Care thoroughly—know their values, mission, and recent achievements. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their child-centred approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In your conversations, highlight specific examples of how you've led teams or improved outcomes in previous roles. We love to see candidates who can demonstrate their impact and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who align with our ethos, so make sure you put your best foot forward!
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work Mgr
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for looked after children shine through. We want to see how your experiences and values align with our child-centred approach.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in fostering services and management. We love seeing specific examples of how you've led teams and improved care environments, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure you articulate your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Family Care.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Care Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest fostering regulations and Ofsted requirements. Brush up on your knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you’ve motivated staff or improved team performance, as this will resonate with the values of Family Care.
✨Emphasise Child-Centred Approaches
Family Care prides itself on a therapeutic, child-centred approach. Be ready to discuss how you’ve prioritised the wellbeing of children and young people in your previous roles, and share any innovative ideas you have for enhancing their outcomes.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the agency’s vision and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if Family Care is the right fit for you. Consider asking about their collaboration with The Williamson Children’s Trust or how they measure success in their fostering services.
